Saab kicks off its 2004 Convertible selling season with the first 9-3 Convertible sold at Saab of Santa Monica, CA.

Saab Automobile’s production of convertibles has reached a landmark 200,000 units.

Norcross, GA – The first retail sale in the U.S. of the all-new 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible was recorded at Saab of Santa Monica, CA, kicking off the American launch of the Swedish-designed 9-3 Convertible. Saab dealers and customers throughout the U.S. and in most markets worldwide are currently taking delivery of new cars and trying to keep up with the strong demand for the newest Saab model.

The first 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible sold was an Arc model in new Espresso Black metallic paint, with Parchment leather interior, five-speed automatic transmission, Xenon headlights and heated seats, purchased by Lori Brener of Santa Monica.

According to Brener, "I decided on a convertible in January, but I didn’t want a two-seater. When I saw online that Saab was introducing its new 9-3 Convertible this fall, I wanted to wait for it. As soon as one was in, I did my shopping, including test driving last year’s Saab and the 2004 Volvo C70. I knew the right car for me was the new Saab 9-3, and I absolutely love it!" Brener bought the car the next day, on her 37th birthday.

The all-new Saab 9-3 Convertible brings a stylish, open-top dimension to the new 9-3 range and is the latest step in the biggest new product offensive in Saab’s history. It represents the most significant advance Saab has made in 20 years of designing four-seater, four-season soft tops and is poised to reaffirm the company's leading position in the premium convertible segment.

Sweden-based Saab Automobile has been building convertibles since 1986 and recently passed its 200,000-car production milestone. The historic 200,000th soft top, a 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible, was manufactured at the Magna Steyr factory near Graz, Austria.

Twenty Years of Producing Convertibles

The Saab Sonett 1, Saab’s very first open car, made its debut in 1956. Only six prototypes were manufactured, however. Apart from a sports car concept with a Targa roof that was designed in 1965, plans for an open-top model were put on ice until the beginning of the 1980’s.

At the Frankfurt International Motor Show in 1983, Saab surprised the car world with a convertible that was developed from the two-door version of the Saab 900. The public’s response exceeded all expectations and prompted Saab to announce plans for production of a Saab Convertible in 1984.

Since 1986, when series convertible production began, Saab has established itself as a leader in the premium segment for sporty, open four-seater cars that can be driven in all seasons.

During the spring of 1986, a limited series of 400 cars was produced for the American market. The cars were sold out before many customers realized that sales had begun. The following 1987 model was also sold out long before production started. Sales of the second generation of the Saab 900 Convertible began in 1994. The following year resulted in a 95 percent sales increase, from 7,100 cars in 1994 to 13,800 in 1995.

Sales of the Saab 9-3 Convertible, which was introduced in 1998, reached an all-time high in 2000 with 18,741 convertibles sold. Sales of the newly-designed 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible are expected to increase even further.

History of the Saab Convertible

1950 Sixten Sason, Saab’s first designer, sketches a Saab 92-based convertible, although the concept never leaves the drawing board.

1956 Six examples of Saab’s first open car, the Saab Sonett Super Sport, are manufactured. The car was originally intended for rally racing, but changes to racing rules made the new car no longer a contender in the GT class.

1965 Sixten Sason designs "Catherina," a working prototype with a Targa roof.

1978 The Saab 900 is launched.

1983 The prototype for the Saab 900 Convertible, developed from the 2-door Saab Sedan, is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The exhibition car has an automatic soft top, a unique rear spoiler and three-part plastic molding to cover the lowered roof.

1984 Saab announces that the first 900 Convertible, with a specially reinforced body, will be manufactured in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

1986 The first 400 Saab 900 Convertibles are produced for the U.S. market.

1988 Production of the 900 Convertible exceeds 5,000 cars per year as it achieves cult status, particularly in the U.S.

1992 Sales reach 10,800 units.

1993 The final first-generation Saab 900 Convertible leaves Uusikaupunki in September. A total of 48,888 were produced.

1994 The new Saab 900 Convertible is previewed at the Detroit Auto Show. Production starts in Finland.

1995 The first complete sales year for the second generation Saab 900 Convertible results in a 95 percent sales increase, from 7,100 cars in 1994 to 13,800 in 1995.

1998 Saab 9-3 Convertible is presented. Special features include hydraulic soft top operation and a larger rear window.

2000 Best-ever annual sales as 18,741 cars are sold. Compared to the late 1980’s, average annual sales have now more than doubled.

2003 The all-new model year 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible is launched and test driven by the press in Copenhagen in June. Sales start in some European markets and the U.S. in September.

squishmann

28th September 2003, 07:21 PM

why did they wait till the fall? it should have been released two months ago

zingZACH

1st October 2003, 02:40 AM

squish> i completely agree.... and if it wasnt ready 2 months ago, they should have released it next april or something.... when the convertible season is in... not everyone lives in tropical climates.. in fact.... most saab owners live in the north east like i do..... good ole new england weather.... brrrrr.... i am freezing as i type this. I hate fall in New Hampshire.... :cry: ... Saab was obviously not thinking and was in a big rush to release the new 9-3 convert.... i think they were stupid for releasing it in the fall/winter... lol

20Ted

1st October 2003, 10:11 AM

I've actually seen two of them out on the roads here in Seattle. From a distance driving down the street (as one was heading toward me) I thought it was a BMW...

nyc 363

1st October 2003, 12:15 PM

I am sure Saab would have loved to have it ready for the 2003 summer but I have to believe it was released as early as they could produce them. I do not think it would make sense to hold off another 9 months.

zingZACH

1st October 2003, 03:29 PM

I think they should have waited... in my opinion.... I mean, New England winters are horrible.... most convertible buyers buy them on impulse when it is hot.... :roll:

20Ted

1st October 2003, 04:55 PM

I think they should have waited... in my opinion.... I mean, New England winters are horrible.... most convertible buyers buy them on impulse when it is hot.... :roll:

I bought mine on impulse in the middle of January when we happened to have a day that wasn't cold and rainy!

zingZACH

1st October 2003, 09:59 PM

Who in there right mind would act on impulse in new england... it is 0 below farenhiet on average in January.... and we got a storm last year with several feet of snow.... which is normal around here.... still think it was bad timing for Saab to release the convertible.... :nono;

20Ted

1st October 2003, 11:14 PM

...but it gives them time to build up a stock of them while the few that people do buy are driven around which builds interest in the vehicle, leading to a surge of sales in the spring without ridiculous price gouging by the dealers becasue of the cars limited availability....

zingZACH

2nd October 2003, 12:45 AM

true.....

ViggenPilot

6th October 2003, 12:32 PM

...but it gives them time to build up a stock of them while the few that people do buy are driven around which builds interest in the vehicle, leading to a surge of sales in the spring without ridiculous price gouging by the dealers becasue of the cars limited availability....

There WILL STILL be 9-3 Convertibles around next spring/summer 2004 for people to buy "on impulse" because of the weather.